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Educational Pet Information



We believe improving the quality of life for pets and their owners through education, enrichment and outreach programs is essential to strengthening the bonds between animals and humans...

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Behavior
Puppy Nipping and Rough Play
Cat Behavior 101:  When Kitty Jumps up Where She Shouldn't
Doggone Connection:  Canine training & behavior counseling

Owners Can Help Pets Overcome Fear of Thunderstorms
Home Alone (Separation Anxiety) Accidents on the rug, constant barking, chewing of household items...sound familiar? If your dog panics whenever you leave, she could be suffering from separation anxiety. Find out how to help your canine companion adjust to your absence and overcome her fears. (Source: HSUS "Pets for Life" online newsletter 5/10/2005).

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Cats
Cat Behavior 101:  When Kitty jumps up where she shouldn't
Feline Health Alert:  Lilies can be lethal
Common Cat Hazards
Coaching Kitty

Inside Information  Thinking about bringing your cat indoors—and out of harm's way—for good? Find out how to make the transition while keeping your kitty healthy and happy

De-clawing Cats:  More than just a manicure  De-clawing your cat may seem like the best way to keep your possessions scratch-free, but the surgery is both painful to cats and unnecessary. Learn why the latest de-clawing technology just doesn't cut it.

Destructive Scratching

Love your kitty, but hate her habit of sharpening her claws on your couch? Learn how to train your cat to use a scratching post and keep your furniture looking fabulous (Source:  HSUS Pets for Life online newsletter 5/2/2005)

Litter Box Lessons 

Your cat has been litter-trained—but have you? Do you know how to keep the box clean, accessible, and comfortable for your kitty? Our tip sheets will give you the ins and outs of litter box management

Cat Toys:  You need them  Food, water, shelter, and...toys? It's true—cats need toys to help keep them active, relaxed, and happy. But you needn’t empty your wallet to keep your kitty entertained. Cats enjoy playing with things as simple as tissue paper.  

Using Flea Control Products? Read the label first!

Choosing the Right Cat
Congratulations, you’re ready to adopt a cat! But your local shelter has felines of all ages, appearances, and personalities—which one is right for you? Your new kitty may be with you for 15-18 years, so it's important to choose your friend carefully (Source:  HSUS Pets For Life online newsletter 6/14/2005).

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Dogs
New treatment can prevent paralysis in dogs
Dogs Knees
HELP!!!! My husband and kids still haven't been adopted!
Dog Bites

Preventing Dog Bites
Whatever Happened to Pit Bulls?
Seriously Funny  Who's your favorite comic strip pooch? Snoopy? Earl? Buster Brown? Learn about the evolution of dogs in comics and find out how Mutts creator Patrick McDonnell educates while entertaining millions

Gnawing Issue  Love your puppy, but hate that he chews your shoes, your sofa...and anything else that he can find? Learn how to discourage this destructive behavior through positive reinforcement

Backyard Blues  Know a pooch who's in the doghouse—literally? Learn what you can do to help neglected pooches left outdoors for painfully extended periods of time

Aggression   Ever snapped at someone because you were angry? Animals have emotions, too—and sometimes dogs express frustration by growling, biting or snapping. Learn how to decipher different types of aggression and to address them safely and effectively

Barking  Squirrels, cars, falling leaves—some dogs seem to bark at things for no reason at all. Or is it out of loneliness and boredom? You have to identify the cause of barking before you can break the habit.

Home Alone (Separation Anxiety) Accidents on the rug, constant barking, chewing of household items...sound familiar? If your dog panics whenever you leave, she could be suffering from separation anxiety. Find out how to help your canine companion adjust to your absence and overcome her fears. (Source: HSUS "Pets for Life" online newsletter 5/10/2005)

Another Pet won't Help Dog's Separation Anxiety  Q.  If an owner gets a second dog will that cure Separation Anxiety? (Source:http://www.homeagainid.com/news/article.cfm?storyid=17167)

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General Articles
How to Find a Missing Pet
Does Your Pet Come With Papers?
Pet Scams: How Not to Become a Victim
Animal Advocacy Network of Indiana is asking for our help!
Poinsettias, Poisoning and Pets - Should you Believe the Hype?
Choosing a Boarding Kennel
Caring for Pets When You Travel
Honoring Your Pet's Memory
Final Care of Your Pet's Body
What to Consider Before Adopting a Pet
13 Steps to Finding Pet-Friendly Rental Housing
Too many renters think they have to give up their animals simply because they can't quickly find pet-friendly housing. But don't despair! Our guide can help find a home for you and your pet—virtually anywhere in the country

Better with age   Sure, puppies and kittens are cute, but they all grow up. Adult animals can be every bit as adorable, with more of the qualities you want in a lifelong friend. And they're less likely to chew up your shoes!

Pet Patrol  Pets are naturally curious—they want to check out everything! So it's up to their guardians to keep household dangers out of paws' reach. Find out what you can do to help protect your companion.

Senior Partners  For some seniors, retirement turns out to be no day at the Florida beach. They find themselves facing a persistent issue—loneliness. Adopting a pet, particularly an older animal, is one way to cope with isolation. During Older Americans Month, learn how pets can soothe the heart, body, and mind (Source:  HSUS "Pets for Life" online newsletter 5/10/05)

Ask Best Friends.org 

Expect the Unexpected
When disaster strikes you need to be able to react quickly and effectively. June is National Disaster Preparedness Month for Animals—a perfect time to assemble a disaster kit and form an emergency plan so that your entire family, including your pets, is ready to go at a moment's notice (Source:  HSUS Pets For Life online newsletter 6/21/2005)

Flight Risk
Ever feel like you were flying blind when choosing a safe airline to transport your pet? Before now getting the facts was daunting because airlines weren’t required to report complaints about their handling of pets. But beginning June 15, a new rule will give consumers access to these vital statistics  (Source:  HSUS Pets For Life Online Newsletter 6/14/2005)

KEEP YOUR BACKYARD SAFE (AND NONTOXIC!) FOR YOUR PET
(Source:  ASPCA News Alert 6/23/2005)
 

Air Travel Tips for your Pets

AARP Pet Connection

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Medical
Pet Peril: Household Companions need to be Protected from Toxic Plants
Common Poisonous Plants
Pet's 'mistakes' could be due to medical problem
Dump the plump
Insurance can limit emergency pet costs
Common Household Medicines that can Harm Your Pet
Taking Care of Your Canine's Canines
Pet Dental Hygiene Questions & Tips
Using Flea-Control Products?  Read the Label First
Pet Health Alert:  Products Sweetened with Xylitol can be Toxic to Dogs
Rat Poison and Pets
The Dangers of Rat Poison, Part 2
Feline Vaccine-Associated Sarcoma
What You Can Do If You Are Having Trouble Affording Veterinary Care
The Five Plants most Hazardous to your Pet's Health

Pet Poison Prevention Tips - Disulfoton Will you be planting roses or other floral plants in your garden this year? While systemic insecticides—those that are absorbed throughout the whole plant via the roots—are effective at eliminating pesky aphids and bugs from delicate flowering plants, certain types can be extremely dangerous to pets.

Wet Nose Therapy   Depressed? Disabled? Recovering from surgery? Maybe a critter can help you cope. Whether you’re in need of physical, mental or emotional therapy, pets can often offer assistance. Learn about the amazing healing power of pets

Keep Your Pet Cool this Summer 

Keep your pet cool this summer by keeping him out of parked cars. Even with the windows cracked, your vehicle can become a virtual oven in minutes, with potentially deadly consequences. Find out how to identify and treat heatstroke in animals

Seasonal Produce that can Harm Your Pets

Caring for Pets when you are ill
People facing a serious illness may be concerned about health risks posed by their pets. But our advice on managing the situation can help keep you and your pet together even in challenging times  (Source:  HSUS Pets For Life  online newsletter 6/21/2005)

Pregnancy and Toxoplasmosis
Fathers and pet guardians have two of the best jobs in the world. If you're already familiar with the latter but are just preparing for the former, check out this important information about toxoplasmosis and your pregnant spouse  (Source:  HSUS Pets For Life Online Newsletter 6/14/2005)

Summer Care Tips for You and Your Pets
You’ve purchased SPF 15 sunscreen and found your shades...but before you officially kick off the summer, make sure your pets are also prepared. Check out our hot weather tips to keep your critters   (Source:  HSUS Pets for Life, June 7, 2005, Volume 3, Issue 22)

Halloween Tips for your Pets

10 Cold Weather Tips

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Microchipping
High-Tech Doggies

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Spay/Neuter
Early Spay Neuter: Helping Solve the Litter Problem
Spay Neuter Solutions that Work
Stamping Out Pet Overpopulation
Why You Should Spay or Neuter Your Pet
Myths and Facts About Spaying and Neutering

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